(from Alabama HBPA news release) In response to the announcement of the sale of the Birmingham Race Course (BRC) to PCI Gaming, a subsidiary of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI), Alabama's horsemen and women are expressing cautious optimism for the future of the state’s long-dormant horse racing industry. After more than 25 [...]
Laughing Boy. Photo by Coady Photography (from Churchill Downs news release) Laughing Boy crossed the finish line a half-length back of Surface to Air in Saturday’s $225,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Churchill Downs – the most lucrative of eight starter allowance races on the day for the nation’s top claiming-level horses – [...]
Ghostly Gal (pink saddlecloth). Photo by Coady Photography (from Churchill Downs news release) Two decades after his first Claiming Crown triumph, trainer Wayne Catalano returned to the winner’s circle Saturday when Ghostly Gal upset the $174,500 Claiming Crown Tiara at Churchill Downs. The 6-year-old mare, owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, surged late [...]
Owner-trainer Mark Hibdon with Tennessee Moon at Churchill Downs for the Claiming Crown. Photo by Jennie Rees Bad 'Moon' Rising! Tennessee Moon takes 11 wins -- most in America this year -- into Claiming Crown Glass Slipper Mark Hibdon video interview Mark Hibdon, owner-trainer of Tennessee Moon, didn’t know his 4-year-old filly was [...]
Erin Riefenberg with Molly's Rose, then a 2-year-old at Santa Anita. (Photo courtesy Erin Riefenberg) No matter where Molly’s Rose finishes in Saturday’s $150,000 Claiming Crown Tiara, for Lexington-based owner-trainer Erin Riefenberg the 4-year-old filly is a winner just making it to the race at Churchill Downs. Or any race for that matter. "There [...]
Trainer Carl O'Callaghan aboard East Coast Girl at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Gwen Davis/Davis Innovation) Boy oh boy! O'Callaghan says of very male East Coast Girl, 'He's just a powerhouse' heading into Ready's Rocket Express First off: East Coast Girl, while from the East, is a boy. Never mind the name, Penn [...]
Oaklawn's barns will all be equipped with wifi supplied by the Arkansas HBPA. (Photo by Robert Yates) When horsemen ship into Oaklawn Park for the 2024-25 race meet, they’ll find every barn equipped with wifi. The Arkansas HBPA, which represents horse owners and trainers at the state’s only racetrack, paid to install internet in [...]
Indian Gulch going back to trainer Tom Van Berg's barn at Churchill Downs. Photo by Gwen Davis/Davis Innovation The 119 horses in the entries for Saturday’s eight Claiming Crown races at Churchill Downs might have been inexpensive at some stage of their career. But that doesn’t mean they’re not valuable. “This day of racing has [...]
Horsemen: Please read below HISA's announcement regarding provisional suspensions. But first we have a comment from National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback. Thanks to all of you who have supported the NHBPA efforts through our Calls to Action and otherwise. National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback's comment regarding HISA announcement: "I applaud the HISA Authority for [...]
THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, IS THE DEADLINE to make your horses eligible for the $1.1 million Claiming Crown to be run November 16 at Churchill Downs. The eight races total $1.1 million in purses for all levels of horses on both dirt and turf. The minimum purse is $100,000 with the Claiming Crown Jewel offering [...]